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Public service message: in many countries, the IDP, International Driving Permit, is not needed. Since it is only a translation, it carries no official weight.

Public service message: in many countries, the IDP, International Driving Permit, is not needed. Since it is only a translation, it carries no official weight. Many countries that use the Latin alphabet only need a translation of the drivers license (ie IDP) if the alphabet on the driver’s license is not Latin. Check online before you travel. This can save you a trip to the AAA, a few bucks, and an encounter with a clerk who questions the validity of your beard.

bux93 2y ago
Tell that to Mr. Prawo Jazdy. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/phantom-pole-haunts-garda-at-alternative-nobel-awards-1.749764 https://www.irishtimes.com/news/phantom-pole-haunts-garda-at...
- taneq 2y ago
  Ask them for directions to the Forest of Skund. ;)
pmontra 2y ago
As an example, Australia wants one. I can't remember if Geneva or Vienna type or both. Last time I've been there was 2019 and my country uses the Latin alphabet too (it was invented here.) The official document is the country's of origin driving license but basically owning a valid IDP states that your country and the destination country are signatories of one of those two conventions and agree to let their own citizens drive in both countries with no need of further tests. Some countries recognize some foreign driving licenses, at least for a while, without the need of the IDP. The USA is one of them but it has been a long time since I drove a car there so it could have changed or be regulated state by state and not at federal level. The USA is a signatory of the 1949 Geneva convention.
- chgs 2y ago
  I’ve hired cars in Austrailia without an IDP, just my British driving license.
rconti 2y ago
Yeah; I'm a USian, and this one is for Japan which "requires" it. I also got one for Italy a bunch of years ago, as I was told the car rental agencies would not rent me a car without one. Otherwise I've never bothered, and I've rented cars in a half dozen countries in Europe, Australia, NZ....
- koliber 2y ago
  I feel that a long time ago (15-20 years ago) it was needed more often. Over the past 10 years I have not needed one.

bux93 2y ago

Tell that to Mr. Prawo Jazdy. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/phantom-pole-haunts-garda-at-alternative-nobel-awards-1.749764 https://www.irishtimes.com/news/phantom-pole-haunts-garda-at...

taneq 2y ago
Ask them for directions to the Forest of Skund. ;)

pmontra 2y ago

As an example, Australia wants one. I can't remember if Geneva or Vienna type or both. Last time I've been there was 2019 and my country uses the Latin alphabet too (it was invented here.) The official document is the country's of origin driving license but basically owning a valid IDP states that your country and the destination country are signatories of one of those two conventions and agree to let their own citizens drive in both countries with no need of further tests. Some countries recognize some foreign driving licenses, at least for a while, without the need of the IDP. The USA is one of them but it has been a long time since I drove a car there so it could have changed or be regulated state by state and not at federal level. The USA is a signatory of the 1949 Geneva convention.

chgs 2y ago
I’ve hired cars in Austrailia without an IDP, just my British driving license.

rconti 2y ago

Yeah; I'm a USian, and this one is for Japan which "requires" it. I also got one for Italy a bunch of years ago, as I was told the car rental agencies would not rent me a car without one. Otherwise I've never bothered, and I've rented cars in a half dozen countries in Europe, Australia, NZ....

koliber 2y ago
I feel that a long time ago (15-20 years ago) it was needed more often. Over the past 10 years I have not needed one.